FYS Abroad Slow Food in Italy: March 2016

Independence

“[Shopping at the market in Bologna] was

a valuable experience, even though I was

a bit stressed, because it allowed me to

use not only what I have learned in class,

but also problem-solving skills.”

The students had to interact with the

farmers in Italian, and when they didn’t

know a word or expression, they had to

make themselves understood. Sometimes

this caused problems, but they were able

to solve them independently. I often split

the class into groups of two or three with a

set meeting place so that they were able to

complete tasks and navigate the markets

on their own. (Prof. Kelly Blank)

Interaction Across Cultures

“The learning I expected to do [while

abroad] was similar to that of a

classroom, where someone would

present information and I would store it

for later…I was wrong…For the first

time in my life, I was an in an entirely

new place where the primary language

was not my own. I realized at that

moment that I was always learning, at

all times, not just when someone stood in

front of me and told me facts, but also

when I was just standing still and

absorbing the culture.”

The students were able to interact with

vendors and purchase food items from

markets for a class lunch in Bologna and a

class dinner in Rome. K.B.

Leadership

“The conversation we had with [Slow

Food founder] Carlo Petrini was a huge

surprise, and one of the highlights of the

trip. Even though he did not speak

English, I was still moved by what he said

because he spoke with such conviction. I

left his office feeling empowered and

ready to bring the Slow Food message

back to Xavier…He said it is our

responsibility to protect the foods of our

region that we think are worth protecting.

Ever since I have been back, I have

been thinking about what I want to be

preserved…”

2

“I not only learned a lot about Italian culture and food, I learned a lot about

myself. I got to try new foods…and I was put in situations where I was out of my

comfort zone. I got to really immerse myself in the Italian culture for a week and

learned that I want to see more of the world.”

We had several occasions to talk about Vocation during the

international experience. We learned about the career paths of

several people, from the winemaker who had been a

philosophy major in college, to the American professor who

never thought about living in Italy until he found the field of

food politics, to the young olive producer who wanted to carry

forth his family’s tradition, to a restaurateur in Piedmont who

was a former journalist in his native Belgium, to the program

coordinator traveling with us who had left the hectic world of

international finance to work with students. All of these stories

made an impression on the students, and we were able to

discuss this topic at length. K.B.

“If any other FYS gets the opportunity to do something similar next year, I really hope that they can because it was a life-changing memory for me.”

S P A R K

ETHISCS. RELIGION. SOCIETY.

E/RS

Spark: The First-Year Seminar's Call for the Greater GoodSeptember 16, 2015

7:00-8:30 p.m.Cintas Center, Duff Banquet Room

fYSF I R S TY E A R

S E M I N A R

FYS isn't just a class. It's also a launchpad into your future. What kind of a world do you want to create? How can you contribute to the greater good? Meet a panel of entrepreneurs, scientists, and teachers—including FYS faculty—who are changing the world.

Mt. St. Joseph Xavier University Xavier University MortarGene Kritsky Niamh O'Leary Jaylene Schaeffer Derrick Braziel

W I T H P A N E L I S T S :

S E P T E M B E R 1 6F Y S P R E S E N T S

“…I realize how hard-headed and naïve I was to think that the decision to study

abroad should be measured in dollars and cents…This [experience] has had a

tremendous impact on my life and I can’t believe how lucky I was to have it

come along. I also am left wondering how many people don’t take advantage of

study abroad because they felt the way I did.”